Act 2
(It's a loooong one)

25

Charlotte's Web

"Why did you do all this for me?' he asked. 'I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you.' 'You have been my friend,' replied Charlotte. 'That in itself is a tremendous thing."

― E.B. White, Charlotte's Web

Lucy laughed as she showed the, mercifully undamaged, pictures she'd taken to her friends. She was still confined to bed for another day, and her arm was going to be in a sling for a few more, but the rest of the guild had been streaming in and out as soon as she was up to having a steady flow of visitors so she was hardly lonely.

Natsu had, of course, become her permanent visitor. He hadn't left her side except when necessary the moment he'd been allowed to see her. A gesture that had surprised her as much as it had pleased her and she made sure he knew that by smiling at him often.

"Is that really what buildings in your world look like?" Erza asked in shocked amazement as she shared a picture of the skyline with Jellal, "How do they get them so tall?"

Not even the tower of heaven had been as large as some of these seemed to be.

Lucy grinned, "It is, and I have no idea. Structural engineering isn't really my thing. But we've been building them that way for over a century so it works well enough."

She shook her head a little, "Honestly I like Earthland's version better. You can't tell, but it's all concrete and steel and glass in there. I prefer something a bit more organic like you find here." She giggled a little, "Though I would love to introduce you guys to air conditioning!"

"What's air conditioning?" Levy asked, her eyes wide with curiosity. Lucy's world was so different! It was no wonder she'd been so confused when they first met! And she was dying to know as many details as her friend could provide.

"It's a system that allows people to regulate the temperature inside buildings." Lucy explained, "I couldn't begin to tell you how it works, but in the summer it cools things off and in the winter it heats them up without needing a fire."

"How interesting..." Jellal mused, his eyes lighting up excitedly as he began thinking about how such a thing might work in their world.

Levy opened her mouth to say something else when the clumping of boots outside drew their attention and Gajeel stepped inside.

The iron dragon eyed them for a moment before stomping over to Lucy, his expression a curious mix of emotions she wasn't entirely sure she could decipher, and pulled his hand out of his pocket. Her eyes widened as she realized he was holding a shiny gold key in it.

"Here." The dragon grunted, slamming the key on her bedside table, "Pinky says you ain't a bad mistress. Whatever the hell that means. An' we figure you need someone strong enough to open their own damn gates if somethin' else happens."

Lucy gently picked up the key and her jaw dropped as she recognized Virgo's symbol on it, "Gajeel..." She murmured in shocked gratitude, "Thank you..."

Gajeel just snorted and waved it off, "You can thank me by not gettin' shot again." The dragon growled gruffly and stomped off.

Lucy stared at the key, turning it over in her hand and biting her bottom lip. It was strange Gajeel would just give her something like this. Weren't dragons supposed to be freakishly territorial over their hoards?

Even despite her improving partnership with Natsu, she didn't know where his was, or what was in it. The dragon was extremely tight lipped about the cave where he slept while in dragon form.

One look from Levy told Lucy everything she needed to know though. The expression of happiness on her face as she watched Gajeel march out was practically a neon sign after all.

Levy quietly excused herself to go after the iron dragon, the sounds of her teasing and his 'Quit bein' so nosey shrimp!' loud enough to be heard through the door.

Erza and Jellal took the opportunity to excuse themselves as well, and left her alone with Natsu, who was staring at the key in Lucy's hand. The expression on his face looked almost as if he was expecting it to electrocute her at any moment.

"He gave you the key," He muttered into the silence, his eyes sharp on it.

"Yeah, he did." Lucy replied, still a little stunned that she was holding it. According to Leo and Grandpa Cross, Virgo was one of the more powerful spirits of the Zodiac. And she didn't require any special summoning requirements like Aquarius did. This was an unbelievable addition to her collection.

She smiled a bit wryly at Natsu, "I doubt it was done purely out of concern for me, but whatever his reasons I'm very grateful. Especially if his theory about Virgo being able to appear in my world is correct."

That would certainly help her out against the creeps that wouldn't leave her alone there. She wished she knew what they wanted.

She noticed Natsu still had his eyes glued on the key and cocked her head curiously, "Does it mean something special for him to give me this?" She asked, "Or are you that surprised he would give up a part of his hoard?"

If it was the latter, she didn't blame him. She was still surprised too. Though she supposed that pleasing Levy went a long ways towards dispelling it.

The black steel dragon really had it bad for her friend.

Natsu frowned, his arms crossing over his chest when he turned his head towards her, "Well yeah!" He exclaimed.

He waved a hand at her and shook his head, "I mean, only certain dragons managed to get their hands on the celestial keys after the war. Others dropped into the hands of evil wizards or were buried entirely."

"Gajeel fought in the war." Natsu frowned, looking thoughtful, "His old man knew Igneel. My dad and I both attacked Zeref from the south. Metalicanna and Gajeel took the north. We weren't part of the same nest, so it's not like we would have ever run into one another."

"Still, the fact that he gave it to you, that key has probably been in his possession for hundreds of years," Natsu said thoughtfully.

"It's impressive."

"Or at the very least pretty stupid," He grinned at Lucy smugly.

Lucy gave him a frustrated growl and tossed a pillow at him with her viable arm, cringing as it caused her to twist and pull at her stitches. She really hated being on bed rest.

Natsu managed to catch the pillow, dark eyes peering over the edge at Lucy intensely to see if she had hurt herself. His gut twisted with guilt and his expression darkened. Clearly he heard her sharp intake of breath, and he opened his mouth to say something - anything.

She was stupid and protected him. Natsu didn't understand why. But he wondered if she even knew.

So he closed his mouth, and neither commented on her injuries.

"Why are you so interested in it then?" Lucy huffed, moving the conversation along, "do you have a key?"

The dragon suddenly got extremely cagey at the question, shifting in his seat and humming. The heavy air which had begun to set in, promptly evaporated and Lucy grinned in victory.

Oh that was totally a yes.

Granted, she already knew he had one. Makarov told her as much back when she first joined the guild, but it was a little nice to know he wasn't outright denying it to her. Perhaps he was beginning to trust her more?

Lucy gave him an amused look and settled back against her pillows, "Relax." She told him with a smile, "I'm not going to demand you hand yours over or anything. I was just curious."

She carefully tucked Virgo's key in with the others, deciding maybe she would call her to set up a contract after she'd had a nap.

As much as she hated bed rest she had to admit it was somewhat warranted. She was still tiring easily, and spent large portions of the day sleeping. Thank god Jellal had done something to darken the windows so she could sleep without sunlight intruding inconveniently.

"I think I'm gonna take a nap now." She yawned sleepily, "I'll see you later."

At least she didn't have to worry about trapping him here while she slept. They'd found out that after the trip to her homeworld the bond between them had relaxed a little and Natsu had a much wider radius of movement.

So it was easy for him to head out into the main guild hall and grab some food while she slept or something.

Lucy was rather pleased by it. Levy had told her it was probably responding to the greater amount of trust between them, so the more freedom it gave Natsu the better.

Not that she cared much at the moment so long as he didn't keep her awake.

Natsu huffed and got up, slightly smacking her in the head with the pillow she had tossed at him.

He stared at the way she rolled over onto her uninjured side and his stomach rolled once more.

At her mumbled complaints, Natsu walked out of the room, thoughts a jumble. Pushing away his guilt, he thought instead of the other dragon. It was ridiculous for Gajeel to give Lucy his key. Especially not to impress a girl. Or was he really that taken with Levy?

Levy seemed to have Gajeel wrapped around her finger. Served the iron freak right, he was too much of a pain in the ass on a normal day. At least with her around he was slightly more bearable to be around.

How could Gajeel just trust Lucy with it? No matter how much of a good person she was. And Natsu could no longer deny that with his suspicions. Either she was playing the longest con in the world, or she was genuinely a nice human.

He was willing to put money on the latter.

But no matter how nice she was, the keys she had in her possession already were beginning to form quite an unusual collection.

With the addition of Virgo, Lucy was gaining some powerful allies. But that many gate keys in the hands of one person? It only spelled trouble.

Gajeel's reasoning was absolute crap too.

Lucy had been injured in her world. There was no way a spirit could open a gate on that side of the realms even if they were powerful. So his reasoning was useless

Which lead Natsu to think the impossible.

Gajeel wanted to give Lucy the key out of the generosity in his coal black heart.

Weird.

But Natsu had to admit, it was only a temporary solution to an overall problem. Having Lucy learn how to use a weapon would be more ideal than simply giving her a new spirit to work with. Something to learn right off the bat and could keep some distance between her and her opponents if she ran out of magic.

Maybe a whip...?

He shook his head and grabbed a plate of food from Mira with a nod of thanks and headed up to the roof to do more thinking on the matter. He preferred to be up high when he did his thinking. Being closer to the clouds always cleared his head.

Which was why he was surprised when someone was up there waiting for him.

Orange hair, golden armor, and a disposition that made him want to crack his head open.

"Leo," Natsu growled.

Leo offered Natsu a small smile, but carefully kept his distance from the unpredictable dragon. He wasn't really interested in Natsu taking a chunk out of him again if he could avoid it.

"Hello Natsu." He greeted, "I hope I haven't caught you at a bad time?" He asked, a flicker of anxiety crossing his face. He, of course, knew that Lucy was on the mend and would be allowed out of the infirmary soon, but had only visited when the dragon wasn't around.

Perhaps that was a tad cowardly of him, but considering the way their last meeting had gone he was leery of inadvertently provoking Natsu while Lucy was hurt. That would not be good for any of them.

Natsu's eyes narrowed at the lion spirit, a surge of annoyance coursing through him on reflex, "Depends on your definition of a bad time." He grunted in reply, taking in Leo's wary stance at a glance, and pointedly settled on a portion of the roof away from the cat.

His gut was whining at him, so he took a bite out of his meat, and jerked his chin invitingly, "So whaddya want?" He growled, more than halfway expecting Leo to go into another one of his speeches.

"I want to ask what it would take for you to give my key to Lucy." Leo replied quietly, causing Natsu to choke a little in surprise.

"You what?" He half asked half demanded, only for Leo to meet his gaze evenly.

"I want to ask what it would take for you to give my key to Lucy." He repeated calmly, "I know you hate me now, something I can't entirely blame you for, but Lucy shouldn't suffer for it. And you know I can be far greater help to her as her contracted spirit than I am now."

A muscle in Natsu's jaw twitched and his eyes slanted towards the lion. So. He wanted to be Lucy's spirit, did he? For Natsu to give up a portion of his hoard and pass his key over to Lucy?

It was understandable now why Leo looked so nervous. He was asking him to do something so very unlike what a dragon would do.

Giving up a part of his treasure. An old part of his treasure at that. One Natsu hadn't allowed out of his sight in centuries. Not a soul had seen Leo's key besides Natsu since it came into his possession.

And as much as Natsu hated to admit it, he was reluctant to give up Leo's key for reasons that made him uncomfortable.

For one, Leo's key had originally been Igneel's, entrusted to Natsu at the end of the Celestial War. He didn't want to let it go for that reason alone.

The other though, was just as potent. As much as Natsu and Leo fought, and even the long silence between them... Leo had been Natsu's only companion for a great many years. Even with anger and bitterness laying like a chasm against them.

To give up Leo's key meant not only giving up a part of Igneel, but the only form of company that would last as long as him. Fundamentally, Natsu was as selfish as they got.

He didn't think he could be begrudged for wanting to keep that though.

Natsu had seen Lucy's kind heart. The way she treated her spirits was acceptable. There would be no danger to Leo if Natsu entrusted the key to her.

What annoyed him more now, was the timing. Leo had of course been spying on them. From whatever gates he forms when they aren't paying attention - he watched.

How else would he know to ask Natsu now, right after Gajeel gave Lucy his key, and his own heart was unsure.

"Can't wait to put the moves on Lucy ya pervy cat?" Natsu asked, chomping hard into the bone of his meat and crunching down on it.

Leo allowed a small smile and gave Natsu a patient look, "I admit, she is quite a beautiful princess, isn't she Natsu? I'm certain that is something a dragon like yourself can appreciate is it not?"

Natsu grunted evasively.

"But if she was to stay here, surely she has to be better protected than she is now?" Leo asked.

Natsu laid back against the tile of the roof, thumping his heel against it as he thought. Leo wasn't wrong. Lucy needed to learn how to fight. But not just with her magic. In fact her gates were part of her problem, as she was beginning to focus her training just around that and a dependence on magic was beginning to form.

"I'll make you a deal," Natsu drawled to the lion, delaying his decision.

Leo's feline ears perked on the top of his head in interest, Natsu almost snorted at the very cat-like motion.

"Lucy already has Aquarius, Cancer, Taurus, and now Virgo," He smirked at Leo, "If she can somehow get her hands on Sagittarius, I'll gladly give her your key."

Leo stepped closer to Natsu, his eyes sharp with interest, "Is that your word as a dragon Natsu? I don't need to remind you how important a promise is to a celestial spirit, do I?"

He rolled his shoulders, shrugging.

"Sure why not?" Natsu asked, trying not to think about the odd twist in his chest over giving up Leo's key, but thinking how it could help keep Lucy safe. Or at least buy a little time to teach her how to defend herself physically before simply giving her another magical outlet.

...It was a fair enough trade off.

"You stink up the place with litter anyway," Natsu yawned obnoxiously.

A flicker of surprise flashed over Leo's eyes, but he straightened and pulled away.

"Thank you Natsu." He murmured, though there was no gloating or triumph in his voice. Despite what Natsu believed, Leo truly treasured the friendship they'd once had, and wished it could be so again.

He felt guilty for giving up on Natsu the way he had, and wished he could go back and do things differently now, but he couldn't. And at the time there had been no indication that Natsu was inclined to even consider his words let alone change things. The only real difference between Natsu and some of the darker masters he could've had was that Natsu could neither call him at will nor force him to stay.

And the proud lion had not been able to stand it any longer after some particularly harsh words had been said. Words that could not now be unsaid. So he'd done the only thing he thought he could do and distanced himself.

He wished now that he hadn't, because Natsu was a friend and he hated giving up on those, but such wishes were like retracting spoken words. Impossible.

He studied the dragon for a moment and thought maybe even if he couldn't undo the past perhaps he could offer an olive branch so to speak.

"Until then, if you have need of me... call. I will come."

He smiled a little sadly at Natsu's startled look. He'd never declared that he would refuse a call from the dragon before, but he'd ignored all previous attempts since their fight a century ago, so perhaps promising he would show would mean something.

Or it might not. It was hard to tell with Natsu.

Natsu stared at him silently, wondering if this was some kind of joke from the lion.

Several seconds ticked by, stretching the silence between them like a web. Natsu swallowed around a heavy lump in his throat, his heart hammering in his chest.

Natsu nodded stiffly and twisted his head to look up at the sky. He could imagine the stars later on in the day, each one twinkling like a new promise.

And the anger Natsu had felt for the stars now just left a hollow ache in his ribs. It had never been a flame of hatred. But the sting of betrayal was sharp enough on its own.

Natsu knew he was inconsolable after Igneel died. After the Celestial War had torn his father's body apart and slowly killed him, abuse from the magic council hastening his demise, all Natsu had left to show for their victory was a small golden key, an old scarf, and a rejected home.

Leo had done his best to talk to Natsu and cheer him up, but after a while of so many people turning him away, Natsu had lashed out angrily at the lion. The words meant nothing, and Leo wasn't there for the abuse Natsu faced alone when the spirit returned home.

So the words Natsu snarled at him were cruel and meant to hurt Leo as badly as Natsu was hurting. And Leo escaped into the celestial realm, ignoring Natsu's apologies and pleas for him to return.

Because why should he return to the side of someone who was beyond help?

Logically Natsu knew that, but it still hurt to know he was a toxic enough person Leo felt he had to escape him.

So he stopped trying.

That sense of isolation was hard to ignore, but it seeped into Natsu and helped push him along his lonely path. Every encounter Natsu had with the lion afterwards was... tense. As Natsu fell further into darkness, Leo remained in the light. Natsu didn't want to admit he missed his only friend.

He rolled his eyes to hide the nervousness he suddenly felt over Leo's hesitant offer, trying very hard not to swallow his tongue.

"Do whatever you want," He huffed and lifted his nose into the air. Natsu knew Leo was wary to be around him. After all last time he threw him off this very roof.

"In the meantime though, better not pack your bags too soon, Lucy has gotta find Sagittarius and then collect his key," Natsu blew Leo a raspberry, "It ain't gonna be easy!"

"Of that I have no doubt," Leo just smirked past Natsu's warning and headed back to the edge of the roof. A gate opened before him and he stepped a leg through the pooling golden light, "But with you by her side, I believe you both stand a good chance at success."

"Oy-" Natsu growled at Leo's back, but was cut off when the lion disappeared, leaving him to his grumbles.

"Damn cat," He growled and flopped back down.

Natsu wasn't left long to think about Leo however as there was an explosion of cheering from within the guild and roars for alcohol as it was time to party!

Natsu's ears twitched at the sound and he raised his head a little, trying to listen in a little more closely to what had everyone so excited, only to smile involuntarily when he heard Lucy's name being mentioned. She must've had a good nap if Porlyusica had declared her fit enough to get out of bed already.

Good. He was tired of seeing her laid up. It just wasn't natural.

He settled back to relax, confident the guild would look after her while they celebrated, only to be interrupted a few minutes later by the last two voices he'd ever expected to hear up on the roof.

"Are you sure he's up here?" Gray asked as Erza showed him how to get out onto the roof.

"He's unlikely to be anywhere else." She replied reasonably, "He cannot go but so far due to his bond to Lucy, and has little interest in staying in the guild hall if he's not with her."

Natsu sat up, wondering just what those two could possibly want with him now, when Erza spotted him and beat him to the punch.

"Come Natsu." She said briskly, though there was a smile on her face, "We're celebrating Lucy being well enough to leave the infirmary. I'm sure you would not want to miss this, so we came to fetch you."

She gave him a kind look, "After all, Lucy wishes to see you."

"So? She can see me later," Natsu huffed, but felt heartened over the fact Lucy wanted to see him. It made a strange buzz work through his lungs and his lips quirked up.

"Like we're giving you the choice moron," Gray hoisted himself up. The ice mage stood up onto the roof, balancing there without a care. All the buttons on his shirt had been pulled open and it flapped in the breeze.

"Come on, don't be so... you," Gray scowled at the dragon and walked over to push the side of Natsu's head with his foot.

Growling, Natsu grabbed Gray's ankle and yanked forward, causing the ice mage to clatter to the roof in a heap of limbs. Natsu cackled at the sight of the dazed wizard, but before he could get into it with him, something stopped him.

A shadow.

Looming overhead.

The threat of death was felt so powerfully, Natsu shrank back in instinctual terror.

Erza stood before them, striking an intimidating figure.

"Natsu. Gray. We are going to the party now, and you will drink, be merry, and have fun," Her single eye, visible from the curtain of scarlet hair, flashed in warning.

"And you will behave, for Lucy's sake - or suffer punishment," Her gauntleted hand dropped to the sword hilt at her waist.

Natsu and Gray let out twin shrieks and clutched at one another in fear, before they realized what they were doing and flung themselves away. They scrubbed at their arms and chests in disgust, as if unable to believe they had done such a thing.

Still, Natsu was yanked forward by his bangs, and Gray by a handful of black hair as Erza bodily dragged them both to the side of the guild and threw them off the roof.

She hopped down after them with a pleasant smile and dusted her hands together.

"Good, now lets have fun!" She said cheerfully to the two groaning bodies.

"Are you sure she's not part demon?" Gray groaned at Natsu as he struggled to pick himself back up. Juvia was certain to fuss over his 'wounds' once he got back inside, but that didn't stop them from hurting now.

"Man... I don't think I wanna find out." Natsu croaked in reply, "Either thought is terrifying!"

"What was that?" Erza asked, an edge of danger under her calm tone, "Nothing at all!" Natsu and Gray chorused in terror, and sighed in relief when Erza smiled, "Good. Now come along!"

Neither one were given any choice in the matter as she moved behind them and began shoving them through the doors and into the guild.

Gajeel cackled at the pair as they passed, having heard most of what happened, but was immediately distracted from any taunting he might've done by Levy planting herself firmly in his lap and waving a plate of metal under his nose.

Lucy, on the other hand, smiled brightly at the sight of Natsu coming to join them. Even if it was a little coerced.

"Look Natsu!" She exclaimed happily, rotating her shoulder carefully, "Do you remember Chelia from Lamia Scale? She came over and helped heal things over! I'll be fit to work in just a few more days!"

"Huh," Natsu leaned forward, inspecting the area she had been injured with his own eyes. He nearly lost the bottom half of his jaw as he saw the healed over and fading scar on her shoulder. She was in great shape.

He hadn't seen healing magic like this outside of the sky dragons. Grandina had been the last he knew of, wherever she was.

"Whoa! That's incredible!" He gaped in awe and lightly prodded the area around what had once been a hurt spot with a gentle finger. He couldn't believe how nice it looked!

"I'm really grateful the Master sent in a call to Jura. Chelia was a life saver," Lucy sighed in relief and dropped a hand over her heart, "I was beginning to worry about rent."

Natsu grinned at the very Lucy-like answer and snorted, "It ain't due for a while. Quit thinkin' about work and just relax!"

He threw a single arm behind his head, dropping his finger just under her collarbone and lightly nudging her back into a chair. Healing or not, she was still on the mend and shouldn't be on her feet.

Lucy for her part, let herself get tumbled backwards, dazed by the shift in Natsu's hands. Her heart missed a distracting beat when his lazy grin filled his face and his arm folded behind his head, pulling the muscles in his bicep taut. A hot finger resting under her collarbone grounded her to Natsu, and her legs suddenly felt too close to jello for Lucy's liking.

She flopped back on the chair without barely putting up anything close to a fight.

Oh what a time to notice such odd things about her partner now.

Natsu, for his part, didn't think anything strange about Lucy's behavior. He just assumed she was tired, as she should be, and thought nothing more about it. Of course, it didn't help he was immediately distracted by Cana draping an arm around his shoulders with a wicked grin, "C'mon Natsu! Less talking, more drinking!"

It was a sentiment shared by everyone as there was a loud cheer of agreement, and before he quite realized what was happening he was getting dragged over to the alcohol to have a tankard of something shoved into his hands.

It was a situation he wasn't quite sure what to do with. If it had been a drinking contest he could've handled that like he handled the eating contest. But it wasn't. It was just the guild having a good time. Loudly. Like his old nest had during celebrations. Though it was different too.

He wasn't sure why exactly at first. Aside from numbers and species it was exactly the same kind of thing. Fairy Tail did everything loudly and openly. Just like a dragon's nest would. So why did this feel different?

"You look like you're bustin' your brains Salamander." Gajeel grunted as he thunked down beside him and smirked as he took a long pull of his own drink, "You ain't figured it out yet?"

His blank look must've been telling because the iron dragon just snorted, "Idiot. Difference is they don't care about what we are."

Natsu blinked at him, feeling like he was being slammed in the side of the head with one of Gajeel's demon logs. He opened his mouth to protest, before he remembered in the distant part of his brain that Gajeel was in a similar boat as him.

Granted, Gajeel was up in the north, his territory frozen and bordering the badlands Natsu had all but incinerated in his fits of rage.

But he was still near those dragons, forced to remember what it was like to have those poisonous words spat at him from across territories.

'Half Breed' Motherglare had snarled at Gajeel.

Gajeel had nothing to torment and destroy up in the North, but Natsu wondered if he had, if he would have destroyed it like he desired.

Natsu blinked as a lit match went sailing into his tankard by a laughing Bisca, distracting him as a whoosh of flames consumed Natsu's face and nearly burned off Max's eyebrows who was sitting nearby.

His mouth watered at the sight of the flames and he sunk his fangs into the cheerful flames, feeling his belly warm at their touch. He glanced at Gajeel, confused by the actions of the guild and the other dragon.

"Why not?" He asked after a moment, "We're different - it's not like we actually belong in this world with them. They're human, we're..."

"Orphans, just like most of the people here," Gajeel said roughly, jerking a thumb over to where Erza had slid into Jellal's arms in what looked like a sweet embrace.

Up until the music struck a fierce tempo and she broke away to throw him into a deadly, exuberant spin.

Natsu jolted at the observation Gajeel made, biting off a chunk of his tankard in his shock.

"Nothin' you didn't already know though," Gajeel smirked at the fire dragon. Natsu was sinking into his drink and sliding his grumpy glare to the side.

"You had plenty of chances to smash them through the years, but you never did," Gajeel's smirk widened at Natsu's reddening face, "You know more about these people than you'd like to admit."

"Just 'cause I didn't bother killing them doesn't mean anything!" Natsu huffed defensively around his blush.

"Like hell it don't." Gajeel snorted, and fixed the other drake with a look that wouldn't have been out of place on his father, "An' you know it runt."

Natsu's flush deepened at the assertion, but he couldn't actually deny Gajeel's claim without lying. And while he was many things...a liar was not one of them.

He had to admit, if only to himself, that Gajeel was right. He'd had many chances over the years to decimate, if not destroy, the guild. But he never had. He'd told himself it was because they were so much fun, which was true enough, but it wasn't the whole reason.

They'd reminded him, however unintentionally, of happier times. Times when he'd been part of a real nest and had been able to cuddle up to his father to eat fire while he was told bedtime stories or wrestle.

He'd seen the same happiness between the Fairy Tail members, and had never quite been able to bring himself to strike the killing blow because of it. Maybe they weren't dragons, but they were the best damned nest he'd ever laid eyes on, and he'd been reluctant to tear it up.

So he'd made them his treasure instead. He tormented them, played pranks on them, but never really hurt them the way he did others. Even if they didn't know their status-

He was starting to wonder if maybe they hadn't started to figure it out.

He was pulled out of his musings when Levy trotted up and tugged on Gajeel's arm, "C'mon Gajeel!" She grinned at him, "Let's dance!"

"What makes you think I dance shrimp?" Gajeel growled irritably even as he set his drink down and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet and out onto the floor.

Natsu jolted a bit at the sudden disappearance of Gajeel, turning to watch him go and hiding a smirk as Levy forced him out to the dancefloor. He laughed into his tankard and munched down on the flames remaining, slurping the entire thing loudly.

He didn't even see Erza rising up behind him like a messenger of death until an exhausted Jellal dropped down next to him, gave Natsu a tired look and said the most threatening words Natsu ever heard in his entire life.

"Your turn."

"My turn wha-"

His question was cut off with a shriek when Erza gripped onto his arm and dragged him onto the dancefloor.

"Come Natsu! It is time to introduce you into the spirited world of mortal dancing! I hope you are prepared!" Erza declared, her expression sharp and grip tight.

And the woman dragged him onto the dancefloor, without pause or mercy.

As terrifying as it was, Natsu couldn't help the occasional smile which broke out over his face, as he somehow ended up being pushed around throughout the guild and spoke to all his guild members.

And...

He had fun.

It was almost like he had a nest again.

-::-

"Is this really okay?" Gray spoke up, slamming the door of the magicmobile behind him. The frame of the car trembled under the force of his hand, but his full attention was on the man accompanying him, "You didn't have to come y'know. Anyone else in the guild would've been more than happy to tag along."

Jellal stared up at the prison he had once been confined in. A flicker of uncertainty flashed over his face before his expression smoothed into one of calmness. It didn't fool the ice mage any, but it wasn't his decision to make him leave.

"It's fine, Erza and the others needed to remain by Lucy's side," Jellal closed the door with more dignified quiet than Gray had. He brushed a hand down along the cloak shielding him from the dust kicked up by carriages and the vehicles.

"You're Lucy's teacher too, I'm sure she wouldn't have minded you being by her side either," Gray replied, not buying Jellal's excuse. But the blue haired man didn't respond, offering no further insight into his thoughts.

Gray sighed, deciding to let it go.

Jellal had not seen the prison's walls in a very long time. Not since his brief stint in a rogue, vigilante guild. After which he was released into Fairy Tail's probationary care a century back under direct and strict orders to closely monitor his magical use. At least until the case concerning his mental health during his string of crimes could be confirmed.

As such, Jellal had been cleared of most of his charges, even if the guilt of his crimes still weighed on him.

Looking at this prison and facing his demons again were something Jellal had to do.

Gray understood the feeling all too well.

His thoughts flashed to his brother, so tormented by the loss of Ur, and his sister, driven mad and into the arms of a dark guild.

Gray sighed, pushing those thoughts to the side as the two men walked into the prison. The past needed to stay right where it was.

"Erza and I did not have much time with the man before Makarov took over questioning. Whatever information we gleaned isn't enough. All we know is that the organization in Lucy's world is after her, and somehow have knowledge of this realm," Jellal finally broke the silence, "I want to find out more about who is behind all this."

Gray could recognize a distraction tactic when he saw one, but said nothing. It was the polite thing to do after all.

"So you think the two of us will be able to get more out of this guy than you and Erza?" Gray scoffed. If the man could hold out against Erza, Gray didn't think it was possible to even try to intimidate him into talking.

"She did us a favor by warming him up for us," Jellal answered as they passed the guards at the entrance. They were admitted when they revealed their guildmarks.

The inside was exactly as he remembered it, and it took all of his considerable willpower to keep from reacting to the sight of frog guards walking along with their 'control' staves. More like cattle prods. He still had vivid memories of being tortured with them by some of the more sadistic guards, and commanded to call them 'Master' in exchange for something as basic as food.

He hadn't cared then, but he most certainly did now. Kind of ironic in a way as he was now an upstanding and valued member of a light guild, and not a prisoner. But perhaps that was the difference between being free and knowing you were at the guard's mercy no matter what.

He shook off the thoughts with effort while Gray explained what prisoner they wanted to see and they were led inside. He could think about it later. With Erza and her much needed wisdom perhaps.

The thought of his fiery girlfriend brought a small smile to his lips, and helped brace him against the hated memories as they were led to the cell block their dimensional traveling prisoner was being kept in.

Unsurprisingly, he was looking a bit worse for the wear but relatively healthy. It seemed either the quality of guards had improved, or they'd been given strict instructions about their non-magical prisoner. Either way, it was clear he'd been well fed and had amenities appropriate for someone who could not inherently use magic.

He looked up at them warily as they approached, though Jellal thought he could see a disturbingly familiar gleam in his eyes. It was a look that had once been in his eyes, and in the eyes of Zeref's most devoted followers. Whoever this man worked for, whatever he believed in, he did so with zealous fever.

And that alone was terrifying.

"I was wondering when you would come pay me a visit." The man rasped with a macabre grin, "I'm so glad you did. Tell me, is the celestial mage alright? I've been worried."

Gray's eyes narrowed angrily, "And why would you be worried?" He demanded, "You shot her remember?"

The man shook his head, chuckling a little, "Not on purpose. I was aiming for the freak with pink hair, but she got in the way." He cocked his head, "So, is she alive and well?"

"She will live." Jellal replied tensely, "But I have to ask… why are you so interested in her? Magic is of little use in your world."

"Oh, but that's where you're wrong Mr. Wizard." The man replied with a smirk, "Magic is rare and difficult to tap, but it does exist. He commands it. He is interested in her magic. And what he wants, he gets."

"So you're answering to a master then, huh?" Gray drawled, a scowl twitching at the corners of his mouth, "You better start talkin' buddy. See, we're not really the patient type in Fairy Tail."

Despite the threatening words Gray spoke, the ice mage felt a strange chill slide over his skin and make his hair stand on end. The steady way the man stared at both Gray and Jellal was unnerving. All signs of earlier fear were gone, only a frightening sense of peace emanated from him.

It pissed Gray off.

"This isn't a visit for pleasure, we want you to tell us who you are working for and why you need Lucy!" Gray snapped.

The man laughed, a loud, reedy noise which reverberated off the walls of his cage.

"Don't we all?" He asked, a hazy smile on his face, "I am merely a foot soldier acting out on my lord's orders."

Jellal and Gray jumped back when the man let out a sudden, high pitched laugh. It was shrill, his eyes widening up at the ceiling and rolling to the back of his head. A smile, wide and terrifying froze on his face and his entire body trembled.

"I was waiting for you to come back for me!" He cried out in glee. Gray and Jellal exchanged worried looks with one another.

Cautious, Jellal ventured forward, "Why? What for?"

But the man didn't seem to hear him, laughter only growing in volume until flecks of foam began to gather around his mouth. His eyes were wild, but they sought out Jellal's with a madness he found infecting. Whether it was subconscious or not, something chilled in Jellal's heart and he took a step back.

"To tell you he is coming," The man's voice, while reedy before, now sounded hoarse and choked off.

Purple began to color his cheeks, a pallor overtaking his skin. Once more Jellal took a step towards him, his eyes wide on the man. His gaze swept over him before alarm overtook and he lunged for the cage.

"Jellal, what-!" Gray reached for his guildmate's arm, but the heavenly body mage shook him off.

"Poison! I don't know how he hid it on him, but he's dying!" Jellal shouted frantically. He slammed his fist against the magical barrier and twisted around, "Guards! Guards!"

Gray swore violently, unable to figure out how the prisoner had concealed it. But he was a stranger from another world. It wasn't impossible.

The man's voice became a harsh garble and his cheeks began to swell. His trembling body slumped against the side of the cage, a content smile on his dying face.

"He's coming," the man breathed, foam dripping from his lips, leaving long strands of drool soaking into his shirt.

With one last, rattling gasp, he fell silent. A smile on his face.

Gray and Jellal looked at one another, their expressions tight with worry. Something was coming on the horizon, and what was worse - it was coming from a world they couldn't see. Whenever it came, it would take them by surprise.

Whoever 'he' was - he had a dangerous connection with Lucy.

WOW GUYS! We got over 50 reviews! That's so incredible! Thanks for all the support! I'm actually in a rush to post this chapter since I definitely got ready to bed and then forgot I had to updaaate.

So instead of review responses, here is a special sneak peak of the next chapter as a THAAAAANK YOUUUU!

...SNEAK PEAK...

Her eyes practically gleamed, "Oh an ancient city! Treasure hunting! How exciting!" Levy puffed her cheeks out as she thought about two dragons fighting over it.

"We're going to have to keep an eye on those two." She muttered and walked off in a distracted haze.

Lucy laughed at the expression on Levy's face. It was true though, Natsu was still as selfish and greedy as he was the first day she met him. But she guessed that was just a normal trait amongst dragons.

They weren't big on sharing.

"I'll see you in a bit," She called out to Levy and looked over the paper.

"The ancient city of the Nirvits, hm?"

SEE YA IN TWO DAYS!